i2E, Inc., recently led a $1.74 million Series A investment round in SendaRide, an Oklahoma City-based company that has developed an innovative, non-emergency transportation solution for the health care industry.

“SendaRide provides concierge, customized transportation, designed for the health care industry, to help vulnerable populations safely arrive at their destinations,” said Laura Fleet, founder and CEO.

The investment round included $750,000 from the Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund, along with matching investment from the founders and from angel investors.

SendaRide and its team of contract drivers currently provide transportation services for patients at hospitals and clinics in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. The company also provides transportation services for community health centers, cancer centers, dialysis centers, primary care physician clinics, rehab centers, health charities, non-profit clinics, self-funded employers and independent living centers.

Fleet conceived the idea of a specialized transportation service after both she and her husband experienced transportation challenges following medical procedures. She enrolled in i2E’s Venture Assessment Program (VAP) to determine if her concept was a good fit for several different potential markets.

In i2E’s Venture Assessment Program, entrepreneurs contact potential clients to assess their needs and gauge reaction to a potential new product or service.

Fleet is an attorney and expert in health care and regulatory law, having represented health insurers, providers and hospital systems for more than 20 years.

“Initially, we included child care services, transportation for children, the elderly and medical patients — as we thought casting a wide net could offer us more opportunities and a better chance for success,” Fleet said. “The VAP experience helped us understand that limiting our focus to just one vertical would allow us to put all our efforts into excelling in that space, differentiating ourselves from other companies and offering a superior product fit for that specific market.”

SendaRide will use capital from the investment to hire key staff, add drivers, improve its technology and move into new markets, Fleet said. It plans to expand into Dallas, Houston and other cities regionally.

The Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund is a state-appropriated investment fund managed by i2E through the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.

About SendaRide

Founded in 2017, SendaRide’s technology empowers hospitals, providers, health plans, independent living centers and family members with the ability to book on-demand and scheduled transportation for someone else. Its focus is on ensuring those who don’t have access to transportation do not miss their therapy, dialysis, cancer treatments, cardiovascular care, preventive care and any other medical appointment. Founder and CEO is Laura Fleet. Website: sendaride.com

About i2E, Inc.

With offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, OK, i2E’s nationally recognized services include business expertise and funding for Oklahoma’s emerging small businesses. i2E has more than $60 million of investment capital under management. www.i2E.org

By Katelyn Howard Courtesy of The Journal Record Each year, about 7 million people miss their medical appointments due to a lack of transportation, according to market research. SendaRide offers a solution to this problem.Read more

By Sarah Terry- Cobo Courtesy of The Journal Record OKLAHOMA CITY – Laura Fleet is pushing in the clutch and revving the engine. She is looking to expand her technology startup from Oklahoma to theRead more